‘Empire Falls’ props going on sale in Waterville

WATERVILLE – Hundreds of props, costumes and other items that were used in making the HBO movie “Empire Falls” will be put up for sale this week – just in time for Christmas.

“Empire Falls,” based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by former Colby College professor Richard Russo, was filmed last year in Waterville and Skowhegan. It’s scheduled to air on HBO in May.

Sale items include a pink cashmere sweater worn by Helen Hunt, painter’s overalls donned by Paul Newman and silver spoons used by his wife, Joanne Woodward. There are even two brown Volkswagen Jettas used by Newman and Ed Harris, as well as jackets and other costumes emblazoned with the “Empire Falls” logo that appeared in football scenes.

Other items include dishes and phones, a brass bell, license plates, Empire Grill menus, ballpoint pens, backpacks – even a gazebo.

“This is a sale filled with unforgettable Christmas gifts,” said Lynn “Kip” Kippax, locations manager for “Empire Falls.”

The items from the film have been saved for a year and will be on sale Dec. 11-12 in the warehouse of the former Central Maine Power Co. office on Water Street, Kippax said.

“Typical feature films save and hold on to such ‘hero’ props and costumes – the very things the actors wore and touched in the film – just in case you have to come back and shoot certain segments,” he said.

Three large gravestones bearing the name “Whiting,” used in a scene in Oakland in which Newman appeared, are among the items on sale. “So, what do you do with wooden gravestones that look like granite? You try to sell them!” Kippax said. “There’s even lichen glued on them.”

Other potential mementos of Hollywood’s foray into central Maine include street and business signs made by set decorators and painters. They include a “Callahan’s” bar sign used at the Bob-In on Temple Street and one that reads “Empire Falls: A Place to Watch,” used in Skowhegan scenes.

“I’m sure what’s going to happen is, a lot of collectors are going to come to this sale,” Kippax said. “Who knows how valuable this is to collectors in the future? I believe they’re going to be pretty valuable.”

Kate Burton – daughter of actor Richard Burton – played Cindy Whiting, a disabled woman. The crutches, walkers and even a prosthetic leg she used will be offered for sale.

“There’s Paul Newman’s wristwatch and a pink bra he held in a scene, and five boxes of cigars he had,” Kippax said. “Robin Wright Penn used an antique beach basket and beach blanket.”

Kippax said film officials have an inventory of everything purchased and the purchase prices, but items will be sold for substantially less and the proceeds will be used to help defray film costs.

“We could take this stuff to California and put it in a prop house and sell it on eBay, but instead this is a way of doing something for the people of Maine – helping to give back to them,” he said. “They’ve been great to us throughout.”